How to Dial In "High Life" by Counting Crows - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "High Life"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From This Desert Life (1999). This Desert Life is the third studio album from American rock band Counting Crows, released on 2 November 1999 by Geffen. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Telecaster through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Counting Crows' other songs from This Desert Life, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "High Life" Tone
What guitar did Counting Crows use on "High Life"?
The guitar on "High Life" (released 1999) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Telecaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "High Life" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "High Life" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "High Life" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "High Life" by Counting Crows are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.